Area Children Help Collect Donations for Local Food Pantries

Participants in the B.R. Ryall YMCA Safe 'n Sound program began collecting food for area food pantries in November.

From the B.R. Ryall YMCA B.R. Ryall YMCA’s Safe ‘n Sound afterschool program participants collected more than 1200 items to donate to local food pantries. It all started in November when the kids were sharing what they were grateful for. Their responses reflected the typical kid answers about family, friends and toys as well as an understanding about the importance of having a home and food to eat. That discussion was the impetus for their food drive which took off from there.   “We want to teach the children the value of giving back to your community,” said Erin White, Director of Safe ‘n Sound at the B.R. Ryall YMCA, “Giving back can help build a child’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as build a foundation to encourage life-long …

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Glen Ellyn Food Pantry to Benefit from Nicor Gas Food Drive

Employees at Nicor Gas locations around northern Illinois, including Glen Ellyn, collected food and monetary donations for area food pantries.

At a time when the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is in great need of food and donations, employees from one area utility company are giving back to help those in need. Employees from Nicor Gas collected food and made monetary donations to nine northern Illinois food pantries to help them meet the demand during this time of year. The employees held food drives at Nicor locations around the area and collected about 1,000 pounds of food and collected $31,500 in monetary donations for local food pantries, according to a news release from Nicor Gas. “One of the core values that define us as an organization is our generosity of spirit,” Beth Reese, president of Nicor Gas said in a news release. “I am humbled by the response from our employees and their…

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Paisley, Pantry Partner to Fill the Window with Food

Paisley on Main is accepting food donations for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

Two days remain to help fill the front window at Paisley on Main with donated food items. For the first time the shop is partnering with the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry to help raise funds, food and awareness of hunger in the community.  All of the merchandise was emptied from the front window of the store to make room for a shopping cart, which will be filled with food, said the store’s owner Sue Cleary. The hope is the pile of food will grow as the days go on.  The idea to hold the food drive was very last minute and was planned in one day, Clearly said. The drive started last Wednesday and food donations will be accepted through Tuesday. “We are blessed to be part of such a vibrant, affluent community,” Cleary said. “Unfortunately, things …

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Your Volunteer Guide for Glen Ellyn

Clean Your Cabinets To Stamp Out Hunger

Leave a bag (or three) of non-perishable items by your mailbox this Saturday to help feed the hungry.

This week’s column on volunteerism will run a bit differently than usual. It’s similar to one of the previous personal reflections, yet different as it’s asking something of you, the readers. For the past six years or so, my mother has been running the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive out of the Addison, IL office. For years I remember helping put up posters around Addison, sitting in the car while she made stops throughout the weeks leading up to it to request donations, either for the drive or for the volunteers, and helping her write up drafts of sponsorship letters and press releases. All of this in addition to weighing and sorting donated food prior to its delivery. Each town’s office …

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Your Volunteer Guide for Glen Ellyn

A Week Not Fit For the Weak

"Celebrating People in Action"

In 1974, former President Richard Nixon released an executive order to establish National Volunteer Week. Since then every sitting president and even local mayors and governors have requested Americans put their efforts toward improving their communities through various outreach organizations. Each year during one week in April, our fellow Americans band together to illustrate the week’s theme and “Celebrate [and become] people in action”. Sponsored by the Points of Light Institute in combination with the Hands On Network, this year’s Week is coming to an end. It’s not, however, too late to get out and do something active! Though we generally encourage volunteerism throughout the year (hello, what’s the theme of this column?!), this is the…

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